LAKE CITY, SC (WBTW) – Florence County School District Three’s board of trustees approved the dates to makeup six of the eight school days missed due to Hurricane Matthew.

Superintendent Laura Hickson recommended the dates.

“We know the importance of having our children in school,” said Hickson. “This proposal focuses on the needs of students, which is why we exist.”

Make up days are:

Nov. 21 and 22, which were originally part of Thanksgiving break

Dec 21, which was scheduled to be the first day of the winter break but was also the first of three scheduled weather days built into the calendar as required by state law. Dec. 20 will now be a full school day and Dec. 21 will be a half day:

Feb 10, which was scheduled as a professional day for teachers but also as the second weather day built into the calendar

Apr. 17, which was the third weather day built into the calendar

Hickson says the days will be made up before state standardized testing begins and four of the days will be made up during the first semester.

“We can’t afford to lose eight days of instruction,” said Dr. Lane N. Floyd, board chairman. “This board is committed to one group of people – our students – and our students need to be in school. I applaud Ms. Hickson for finding a way to make up those instructional days lost.”